Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea  plant named ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and strong stems; dark green-colored leaves; large mophead-type inflorescences with red purple-colored sterile flowers; when “blued”, that is, treated with aluminum sulfate, sterile flowers are purple in color; long flowering period; and good postproduction quality and longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Aarslev, Denmark. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop new container-type Hydrangea plants withstrong stems, early flowering response and attractive leaf and flowercoloration.

The new Hydrangea plant is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation ofHydrangea macrophylla ‘SchrollA03’, not patented. The new Hydrangeaplant was discovered and selected by the Inventor in 2015 as a singleflowering plant from within a population of plants of ‘SchrollA03’ in acontrolled greenhouse environment in Aarslev, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by softwood cuttings inAarslev, Denmark since 2015 has shown that the unique features of thisnew Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’ as a newand distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Compact, upright and mounded plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely branching habit and strong stems.    -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   5. Large mophead-type inflorescences with red purple-colored        sterile flowers; when “blued”, that is, treated with aluminum        sulfate, sterile flowers are purple in color.    -   6. Long flowering period.    -   7. Good postproduction quality and longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the mutationparent, ‘SchrollA03’, in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more freely branching than        plants of ‘SchrollA03’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘SchrollA03’ differ in        sterile flower color as sterile flowers of plants of        ‘SchrollA03’ are dull red in color (not “blued”).    -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more tolerant to pathogens        and pests than plants of ‘SchrollA03’.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘H213901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,221. Plantsof the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213901’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as        vigorous as plants of ‘H213901’.    -   2. Leaves of plants of the new Hydrangea are darker green in        color than leaves of plants of ‘H213901’.    -   3. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea have more        sterile flowers than inflorescences of plants of H213901’.    -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213901’ differ in sterile        flower color as sterile flowers of plants of ‘H213901’ are        darker red purple in color (not “blued”).

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘H213906’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,509. Plantsof the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213906’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are less vigorous than plants of        ‘H213906’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more freely branching than        plants of ‘H213906’.    -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213906’ differ in sterile        flower color as sterile flowers of plants of ‘H213906’ are dark        pink in color (not “blued”).    -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea force faster than plants of        ‘H213906’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance ofthe new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description which accurately describe the colors of the newHydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’ grown in a container thathas not been “blued”.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet is a close-up view of atypical developing inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’ that has not been“blued”.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a close-up view of atypical developed inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’ that has not been“blued”.

The photograph on the third sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical flowering plant of ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’ grown in a container thathas been “blued”.

The photograph at the top of the fourth sheet is a close-up view of atypical developing inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’ that has been“blued”.

The photograph at the bottom of the fourth sheet is a close-up view of atypical developed inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’ that has been“blued”.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the followingdescription were grown during the spring in 13-cm containers in aglass-covered greenhouse in Aarslev, Denmark and under culturalpractices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. Plants of the newHydrangea were pinched one time and were one year old when thephotographs and description were taken. During the production of theplants, day temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 25° C., nighttemperatures ranged from 10° C. to 20° C. and light levels ranged from40 to 50 klux. In the following description, color references are madeto The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, exceptwhere general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SCHROLL85-09-02’.-   Parentage: Naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of Hydrangea    macrophylla ‘SchrollA03’, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—By softwood cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About twelve days at            temperatures about 20° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at            temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four            weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About five            weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; white, close            to N155D, in color.        -   Rooting habit.—Low branching; sparse.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial subshrub; compact, upright            and mounded plant habit; broadly inverted triangle; freely            branching habit with about five to six lateral branches            developing per plant; strong lateral branches; moderately            vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height.—About 25 cm.        -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 30 cm to 40 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 15 cm to 17 cm. Diameter:            About 5 mm to 6 mm. Internode length: About 3 cm to 4 cm.            Strength: Strong. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color,            developing and developed: Close to 144A. Color, lenticels:            Close to N199B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate; simple.        -   Length.—About 9 cm to 11 cm.        -   Width.—About 7 cm to 8 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate to cordate.        -   Apex.—Cuspidate.        -   Base.—Obtuse to rounded.        -   Margin.—Serrate to dentate.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth to rugose,            glabrous; semi-glossy.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Rugose, glabrous;            prominent venation; matte.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137B.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 138A. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to N137A; venation,            close to 147C. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close            145A to 145B; venation, close to 145B to 145C.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 1.5 cm to 2 cm. Diameter: About            3 mm. Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous. Color, upper and lower surfaces: Close to            144C.-   Inflorescence & flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy single sterile and            inconspicuous single fertile flowers arranged on terminal            mophead-type panicles; panicles hemispherical to flattened            globular in overall shape; fertile flowers face upright and            sterile flowers face upright to outwardly; early flowering            habit, plants begin flowering about ten to twelve weeks            after forcing period.        -   Natural flowering season.—Long flowering period, continuous            flowering from July throughout the summer until frost in            Northern Europe.        -   Flower longevity, fertile flowers.—Flowers last about two to            three weeks on the plant; fertile flowers not persistent.        -   Flower longevity, sterile flowers.—Flowers last about four            months on the plant; as a cut flower, flowering stems will            last about four weeks; sterile flowers persistent.        -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit with about 40 to            60 fertile flowers and about 180 to 200 sterile flowers per            panicle.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Panicle height.—About 8 cm.        -   Panicle diameter.—About 15 cm.        -   Flower diameter, fertile flowers.—About 3 mm.        -   Flower depth (height), fertile flowers.—About 2 mm to 3 mm.        -   Flower diameter, sterile flowers.—About 3.5 cm to 4 cm.        -   Flower depth (height), sterile flowers.—About 2 cm.        -   Flower shape, fertile flowers.—Spherical.        -   Flower shape, sterile flowers.—Deltoid.        -   Flower buds, fertile flowers.—Length: About 2 mm to 3 mm.            Diameter: About 3 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close to            144C.        -   Flower buds, sterile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm to 4 mm.            Diameter: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close            to 144B.        -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four to            five in a single whorl. Length: About 4 mm. Width: About            2 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Rounded. Margin:            Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous.            Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 70C.            Fully opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 70C.        -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four or            five in a single whorl. Length: About 3 mm. Width: About            2 mm. Shape: Roughly ovate. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate,            rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to 71C; when “blued”, close to 95C. Fully            opened, upper and lower surfaces: Close to 71C; when            “blued”, close to 95C; color does not change with            development.        -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Five in a            single whorl; imbricate. Length: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Width:            About 1 mm. Shape: Deltoid. Apex: Acute. Base: Truncate.            Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Fine pubescence.            Texture, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous. Color: When            opening and fully opened, upper surface: Close to N144C.            When opening and fully opened, lower surface: Close to            N144C.        -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Three to            five in a single whorl; imbricate. Length: About 2 cm to            2.4 cm. Width: About 2 cm to 2.5 cm. Shape: Deltoid. Apex:            Acute. Base: Truncated, slightly rounded. Margin: Entire.            Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Slightly rippled,            glabrous. Color, plants not “blued”: When opening, upper            surface: Close to 144C to 144D; towards the margins, close            to 61B. When opening, lower surface: Close to 144C to 144D;            towards the margins, close to N57C to N57D. Fully opened,            upper surface: Close to 61B; color does not change with            development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N57C to            N57D; color does not change with development. Color, plants            “blued”: When opening, upper surface: Close to 144C; towards            the margins, close to N79C. When opening, lower surface:            Close to 144C; towards the margins, close to N77B. Fully            opened, upper surface: Close to N79C; color does not change            with development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to            N77B; color does not change with development.        -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm to 4 mm.            Diameter: About 3 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright.            Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to 58C.        -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 2 cm. Diameter:            About 2 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: Mostly            upright. Texture: Pubescent. Color, plants not “blued”:            Close to 144D tinged with close to 70D. Color, plants            “blued”: Close to 144D tinged with close to N88D.        -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: About eight. Filament length: About 1 mm. Filament            color: Close to 11D. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther            shape: Reniform. Anther color: Close to 155A. Pollen amount:            Abundant. Pollen color: Close to 155A. Pistils: Pistil            quantity per flower: About three. Pistil length: About 2 mm.            Stigma shape: Oval. Stigma color: Close to 11D. Style            length: About 1 mm. Style color: Close to 11D. Ovary color:            Close to 11D.        -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: About eight. Filament length: About 2 mm. Filament            color: Close to 164D. Anther length: About 1 mm. Anther            shape: Elliptical to reniform, elongated. Anther color:            Close to 164D. Pollen amount: Moderate. Pollen color: Close            to 18C. Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower: About three.            Pistil length: About 2 mm. Stigma shape: Rounded. Stigma            color: Close to 164D. Style length: About 1 mm to 2 mm.            Style color: Close to 164D. Ovary color: Close to 164D.        -   Seeds.—Quantity: Typically more than 40. Length: About            0.5 mm. Diameter: About 0.2 mm. Color: Close to 164C.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have not    been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Hydrangea plants to date.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 4° C. to 35° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named‘SCHROLL85-09-02’ as illustrated and described.